Background
Virtually every aspect of LRIS is computer controlled,
allowing operation of LRIS to be automated via control
scripts. This powerful observing mode allows complex
operations to be completed at the touch of a button. Using
scripts, one can:
- Change instrument configurations, such as the filter and
grating selections, central wavelength, CCD focus,
etc. (i.e., options availble from XLRIS)
- Change exposure parameters, including exposure time,
CCD readout window, number of CCD amplifiers in use,
etc. (i.e., options available from Xpose). Exposures or exposure
sequences can also be initiated.
- Change telescope parameters, including telescope pointing
(dithering).
Creating Scripts
You can generate LRIS scripts either automatically or manually:
- Automated scripting. The XLRIS widget can be used in either
simulate mode or in control mode to generate
"setup scripts" which can be used to configurethe instrument.
See the document XLRIS
Scripts for further information.
- Custom scripting. Since the instrument control
computer (lrisserver) is a typical Unix workstation,
more general scripts can be composed using any language
available to the Unix programmer. Generally, csh and
tcsh are the languages of choice. Such scripts can
make use of our extensive existing library of commands to perform
complex operations. Further information on the use of Unix
scripts with LRIS is given in the document LRIS Shell Scripts.
See Also